Magdalen Society Subscriber List

The Magdalen Society, founded in 1800 after a meeting of 23 citizens in the Friends Meeting House in Philadelphia, sought to reform “fallen” and “wayward” women and rehabilitate former prostitutes. Bishop William White and Mayor Robert Wharton led the society with the goal of “restoring to the paths of virtue those unhappy females who in unguarded hours have been robbed of their innocence.” Rules in the asylum were strict. A high wall was later erected in 1811 to contain the admitted and enforce rules. The society targeted younger white women with the intention that they would be easier to reform. African American women were not allowed in the society (neither to serve on the board nor to be admitted). The society expanded in 1845 to better serve its inmates. Women in the homes focused on reading scripture, sewing, making yarn, and selling clothing, in hopes of becoming independent. There was also an emphasis on marrying the women off.